GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY
PROPOSAL FOR A PDF BLOCK B GRANT
Country
People's Republic of China
Focal Area
Biodiversity
Operational Programmes
Coastal, Marine, and Freshwater Ecosystems
Project Title
Biodiversity Management in the Coastal Area of the China’s South
Sea (BMCACSS)
GEF
US$ 320,000
Funding
PDF:
Chinese Government
HKUST
Total
US$ 102,000
US$ 13,250
US$ 435,250
Full Project: GEF
Co-financing:
Requesting Agency
US$ 4-6 million
To be secured from UNDP,
Chinese government, and bilateral
donors
United Nations Development Programme
Block
B
Block A Grant:
PDF Duration
Nine Months
Council Submission: December 2000
None requested
SUMMARY: PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND DESCRIPTION
The objective is to protect globally significant marine and coastal biodiversity along China’s tropical
and sub-tropical southeast coast between its border with Vietnam and latitude 28 oN, corresponding
with the border of Fujian and Zhejiang provinces. The proposed PDF-B will assist China in selecting
4-6 project sites representing different coastal and marine ecosystems, undertaking biological and
socio-economic assessments, quantifying threats to biodiversity, and designing a GEF Alternative
strategy to protect the biodiversity at the sites. The GEF full project will ensure the protection of
biodiversity conservation at the project sites by incorporating conservation activities into an
integrated coastal-zone management framework. Based on this approach, the sites will serve as
models for institutionalizing biodiversity conservation into coastal zone management throughout
south-east China.
A full participatory approach is to be adopted to achieve the project objectives. A central government
agency (the State Oceanic Administration) will be responsible for coordinating the project, but sitebased conservation activities will be implemented through local government agencies, based on
consultations with local communities. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)
will be the technical institution to provide SOA with necessary technical/ scientific support to the
project. .
BACKGROUND
China is a “mega-biodiversity’ country, having about one-tenth of the total number of species in the
world. In terms of coastal and marine biodiversity, the highest levels are found in the tropics and sub1
tropics along the South China Sea coast. From a global perspective of biogeography, the Southeast
coast of China is part of the Indo-West Pacific Region which hosts the world's highest marine diversity,
radiating out from biodiversity centres near Indonesia and the Philippines (Norse, 1993; ADB, 1995).
The main coastal ecosystems in southeast China include tropical and subtropical forests, grasslands,
marshes, and important marine systems. Estuarine waters are the home for the Chinese white dolphin
(Sousa chinensis). The seagrass beds off Hainan and Guangxi are the only remaining habitat in the
region for the sea cow (Dugong dugong), while shallow waters and sandy beaches support the "living
fossil" horseshoe crab species, Tachypleus tridentatus. The beaches serve as nesting grounds for
several species of turtles including the loggerhead and green turtles. Between Fujian and Hainan, about
200 species of reef building corals have been recorded from coastal fringing reefs. The reefs are bestdeveloped around Hainan where they provide critically important habitat to thousands of fish and other
invertebrate species. On islands such as Hainan and Nei Ling Ding (Guangdong) dwindling coastal
forests provide habitat for rapidly decreasing populations of primate species.
The high species diversity in China is associated with high levels of endemism. More than 8,000
species of endemic plants and animals have been identified so far in China. It is estimated that over
3000 species of wild plants, 700 species of fungi and 500 species of wild animals are already exploited
for their value as food, medicine or other economic uses. Less well known is that marine organisms
also have a high economic potential, e.g. extracts from coral reef organisms found in China recently
have been developed into anti-cancer drugs with multi-million dollar sales. Compounds found in the
blood of the horseshoe crab are now used in medical test kits.
However, China’s coastal and marine biodiversity is under threat. For the past ten years, the
southeast coast of China has experienced unprecedented economic growth, social change and
population growth. This continues today and is threatening the health of ecosystems (terrestrial and
marine) which include a significant portion of the world's biodiversity. This area faces many
problems including poorly planned land use, pollution, over-fishing and other forms of resource
extraction.
In some localities, these threats to coastal ecosystems have already caused serious damage. For
example, several species of lobster, sea cucumbers and grouper have been extirpated at some points
along the coast, while other species, such as the Indo-Pacific Humpbacked dolphin are seriously
threatened (Hodgson, 1996). Coral reefs continue to be exploited directly for building material, as
well as other species for direct consumption. Sandy beaches have been mined and built on,
removing the nesting areas for sea turtles. Such environmental problems incur a high socioeconomic cost, with coastal-resource conflicts among tourism, fisheries and manufacturing
industries, among others. In some of the worst affected stretches of the coast of Guangdong, stocks
of commercial fish species have declined to the point that inshore fishing is no longer a viable
occupation. Fishermen are forced to go farther and to try to locate new stocks, often of less valuable
fish. Infrastructure, industry and tourism development is proceeding, creating additional forms of
pollution that damage fisheries and aquaculture.
Despite this rather bleak overall picture, the nature and intensity of threats are such that many sites
that are home to globally significant biodiversity are still in a condition amenable to interventions to
sustainably remove the threats. In this project, a number of sites will be selected representing
different tropical and sub-tropical marine and coastal ecosystems, and through the activities of this
PDF-B, strategies will be designed to conserve the globally significant biodiversity on these sites.
As discussed below, this project builds on the lessons learned from related GEF projects, especially
2
the East Asia Seas (EAS) International Waters project. The Government of China has already
demonstrated a strong commitment to replicate the approach pioneered through the EAS project to
address a range of coastal and marine problems, but lacks experience of integrating biodiversity
conservation into management goals for highly populated coastal areas such as those of S.E. China.
This project will provide models to overcome this problem.
NATIONAL POLICIES & INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
Responsibilities for land-use management and planning lie with the provincial arms of various
government agencies, and are discharged through offices in a hierarchy of administrative sub-divisions,
including at prefecture, county and township levels. At the national level, the State Oceanic
Administration (SOA) is mainly responsible for looking after China’s marine affairs as a whole, and
specifically for formulating and implementing marine-related laws and regulations; law enforcement;
marine environmental surveillance and protection; sea area and coastal management; and research.
Fisheries management is the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture, but at the provincial and local
levels fisheries management is often integrated with local SOA administrations. While the State
Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) sets national-level conservation policy, marine biodiversity
conservation on site is largely the responsibility of SOA.
China has taken specific steps to conserve marine biodiversity. This includes the establishment of 5
national, 10 provincial and about 30 county nature reserves along the South China Sea cost. However,
according to China’s Biodiversity Action Plan, the existing conservation system is plagued by various
problems, including:
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Incomplete national network of nature reserves
Irrational establishment of nature reserves
Unclear lines of authority
Conflicts between economic development and conservation
Lack of funds and low management skill levels
Lack of law enforcement
Several of these concerns have led to the recent adoption of integrated coastal zone management
(ICZM) as an approach to conservation and development of coastal and marine resources, especially
in regions where high population levels result in frequent conflicts between development and
conservation. One of the earliest efforts to promote ICZM in China was at Xiamen, Fujian province,
where the first phase of the UNDP/GEF regional East Asia Seas project established an ICZM
demonstration site in 1993. In Hangzhou Bay, Zhejiang province, the World Bank's 1994 Hangzhou
Bay Environment Study also helped to establish a baseline for ICZM.
Based on experience generated by the Xiamen demonstration site, and as part of the GoC’s efforts
to promote ICZM, a UNDP project entitled “Capacity Building for Integrated Coastal Management
in Northern South China Sea” was initiated in 1997, and is being implemented by SOA. The
project focuses on three demonstration sites, namely Hailing Bay, Guangdong province;
Fangchenggang, Guangxi province; and Qinglan Bay, Hainan province. The objectives of the
project are:
1. To establish appropriate administrative and management arrangements for a sustainable
integrated coastal management institutional framework at the three sites;
2. To strengthen the capacities of local governments and communities with respect to the
concept and methodologies of sustainable integrated coastal management;
3. To develop and implement integrated coastal management strategies for the three sites; and
3
4. To disseminate project findings.
Thus, the project, which is scheduled for completion in late 2000, contributes to an overall
Chinese effort to establish ICZM. These Chinese activities contribute to the attainment of the
sustainable development baseline for the demonstration sites, but do not address conservation of
biodiversity as a specific project component.
The UNDP/GEF project under development on Wetland Biodiversity Conservation and
Sustainable Use in China has an objective to implement a wetlands management demonstration
program for priority wetland complexes in China. Yancheng Coastal Marsh site is the only
coastal site included in that project, with its primary aim of protecting saltmarshes and nesting
birds. The Yancheng Coastal Marsh site is located in the northern part of Jiangsu province,
approximately 1000km along the coast or 700km due north (equivalent to 4.5 latitude) of the
northernmost site proposed for this project, and represents a mudflat/wetland habitat in the
temperate zone. Along China’s long coastline, there are many different types of marine habitats,
including rocky shores, muddy shores, muddy-sand shores, sandy-mud shores, sandy shores,
coral reef, estuary and lagoon habitats. The biodiversity, the species to be protected, the
community structures, the physical/chemical parameters, the environmental stress and threats at
different geographic regions vary drastically.
Research on coastal zone management issues has been strongly supported through various
agencies, including the SOA’s own multi-disciplinary research institutions and other
organisations such as the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. (HKUST). Much
of this research has focused on pollution monitoring and control. For example, HKUST has
undertaken research projects on an Integrated Observation System for the Pearl River Estuary,
“red tide” studies in Pearl River Estuary and Hong Kong waters, and the “Pearl River Estuary
Pollution Project” (PREPP), which includes a comprehensive coastal pollution study, and began
in early 1999.
THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY
Most of the threats to biodiversity on China’s south-east coast, such as poorly planned land use,
pollution, over-fishing and other forms of resource extraction, can be directly related to conflict
between economic development and conservation. Past efforts to manage coastal areas by the
Chinese government have characterised as follows:

Production took priority over protection. Until recent years, efforts focused on how to
increase production and maximize short-term economic gain, with little effort to long term
sustainability. The government, at both the national and provincial levels, has now
recognized that such an approach was shortsighted and compromised future quality and
productivity of biological resources in coastal areas.

Consultation took priority over participation. The Chinese administration effectively consults
the most remote and marginalised sections of society, but has rarely promoted participatory
approaches to planning and conservation. Along the coast, this has been effective in fostering
economic development, by ensuring that all elements of society are consulted and informed
of developments. However, as local communities are usually not able to participate in
resource planning and management, their concerns and knowledge has not been integrated
into local plans and programmes.
4
In addition to these generic forms of threat resulting from over-emphasis on economic
development, specific localized threats include:
Inappropriate fishing techniques (dynamite, poison, electricity). Regulations covering fishing
methods are already in pace in most provinces, but may not be enacted or enforced. For
example, Decree number 9 of the Guangdong People’s government prohibits fishing using
dynamite, poison, or electricity, and management regulations for marine areas have been drafted,
but are not yet implemented.
Mining of coral and sand for construction purposes. Again, while local regulations may be in
place, they are not yet effectively enforced. At Qinglan Bay, Hainan province, one of the three
demonstration sites for the UNDP integrated coastal management project, the municipal
government has issued regulations prohibiting the extraction and sale of sea and river sand, coral,
and turtle products. Despite this, degradation of coral reefs due to removal of coral and
sedimentation damage continues to cause local coastal erosion, and the erosion and build-up of
sand bars.
Cutting of mangrove forests. Wood harvesting from mangroves, mainly for fuelwood, has been
another localized problem in some areas, especially in Guangxi and Hainan provinces. As well
as directly impacting the biodiversity dependent on mangrove habitats, removal of mangrove
forest also contributes to coastal erosion.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The goal of the full project will be to complement China’s national policy to promote sustainable
development by protecting globally important marine and coastal biodiversity in the tropical and
sub-tropical coastal regions of south-east China.
The objectives of the full project are to protect globally significant biodiversity at 4-6 significant
demonstration sites in south-east China by:
1. Developing and implementing institutional procedures to incorporate biodiversity conservation
into integrated coastal zone management frameworks,
2. Increasing the capacity of local governments to address biodiversity conservation through the
application of participatory approaches to resource use planning and management;
3. Providing a framework for adaptive co-management of coastal resources through improved
monitoring, assessment, and sharing of data and information
4. Promoting replication of models of biodiversity conservation through ICZM for application at other
sites on the south-east coast of China;
Achieving these objectives will be greatly facilitated by the close relationship of this project to other
existing GEF and non-GEF projects. For example, the UNDP project on Capacity Building for
Integrated Coastal Management in Northern South China Sea has, as one of its objectives, capacity
building for ICZM. Therefore, the basic concepts of ICZM are already established in several
locations, and the capacity building component of this project is consequently simplified, being
limited to specific biodiversity conservation issues. Similarly lessons learnt from the EAS
International Waters GEF demonstration site at Xiamen will contribute to meeting objectives 2, 3,
and 4. Finally, the research work already undertaken by, among others, SOA research institutions
and HKUST, on pollution monitoring and data management will contribute to meeting objective 3.
5
Most of the project activities will be site-specific, at the 4-6 selected project sites. However, some
of the activities needed to achieve objectives 2, 3, and 4, will be broader in scope.
In order to achieve objective 1 (incorporating biodiversity conservation into integrated coastal zone
management), activities at the site level will include:
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The creation of local ICZM committees for each site. Specific proposals for composition of
the committees and institutional linkages to existing organs of government will be developed
during the PDF-B.
Implementation of a set of detailed site-specific activities based on the outline strategy to be
designed during the PDF-B. This will include, where appropriate, the strengthening of the
protected areas system, including the designation of new protected areas, and strengthening of
protected area management.
For objective 2 (Increasing capacity to address biodiversity conservation through participatory
approaches), site-based activities will include:
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Implementation of a system to ensure public participation in the planning process. Specific
proposals will be developed during the PDF-B and, if appropriate, may vary from site to site,
depending on local socio-economic conditions. Community representative may be
incorporated into the local ICZM committees, for example.
 Training of ICZM committee members and other government representatives in participatory
approaches to planning and management.
 Training of representatives of specialized agencies in biodiversity conservation management.
Participants in the training courses, which will include both formal and informal training
methods, will include representatives from other sites where similar approaches are needed, thus
promoting replication.
To achieve objective 3 (Framework for adaptive co-management through improved monitoring,
assessment, and data sharing), site-based activities will include:
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Implementation of a GIS-based information management system designed under the PDF-B. In
order to promote adaptive management, this system will provide information not only on status
of biodiversity and threats, but also on responses to previous management interventions;
 Application of a monitoring system designed during the PDF-B, involving collection of
specified change data and, where needed, more intensive assessment of critical
areas/species/threats
These site-based activities will be complemented by incorporation of compatible data from other,
non-project locations. Project activities will not include primary data collection on such sites, but
incorporation of the data into a central, shared database, will facilitate the design of adaptive
management responses and promote adoption of the approach at other sites, thus contributing to
objective 4.
Finally, for objective 4 (Promoting replication at other sites), the following activities will be
undertaken:
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Establishment of working linkages with related international and national projects.
Design and implementation of outreach programs, public consultation, publication and
broadcast of educational material for dissemination to government and the public.
6
DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PDF-B ACTIVITIES BY COMPONENT
The principal objective of the proposed PDF-B activities is to design a project that will serve to
demonstrate models to integrate biodiversity conservation in ICZM and conserve globally important
biodiversity at 4-6 sites The project will maximise cost-effectiveness and demonstration value, and will
incorporate lessons learned from other ICZM projects and GEF projects in China.
SOA will establish a project office and appoint national staff to work on the project. An international
and a national GEF Formulation specialist will be recruited. A detailed workplan will be prepared, and
detailed TOR for all experts, consultants and subcontractors developed.
With these project implementation arrangements in place, the proposed PDF-B activities are:
Component 1. Selection of Sites: Based on existing information, potential conservation sites have
been identified and are listed in Annex 2, and their locations are shown on the map in Annex 3. These
sites have been selected on the basis of globally significant biodiversity, a preliminary understanding of
local commitment and an expectation that the particular suite of threats on these sites are amenable to
GEF-style interventions. One of the initial PDF-B activities will be to select from among these
candidate site the 4-6 sites expected to be included in the Full Project. SOA will consult with the local
governments on site selection. The final site selection will be made by SOA and UNDP based on the
above consultations and documentation and recommendations prepared by HKUST and other experts..
The following selection criteria will be taken into account:
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Confirmation of local commitment (government and communities) to conserve the globally
significant biodiversity on site
 Overlap with existing efforts to promote ICZM, for example, as through the UNDP project entitled
“Capacity Building for Integrated Coastal Management in Northern South China Sea”
 Contribution to a set of project sites representing a diversity of ecosystems and different suites of
threats
 Nature and intensity of threats can be addressed through interventions of a magnitude governed by
the expected resources of the project
 Overall, the complete set of project sites maximise cost-effectiveness in terms of demonstration
value
Deliverables: Finalised site selection for the full project, endorsed by local governments and
community leaders.
Component 2. Stakeholder consultations: Preliminary consultations have already established the
agreement in principle of local authorities and communities for each of the candidate sites.
Following final site selection, a two-stage consultation process will be initiated. The first stage will
consist of local workshops at each site to secure broad-based assessments of the issues to be
addressed, status of and threats to biodiversity, and community development goals. This will
complement existing information on biodiversity and threats, but where necessary, primary data
collection will supplement information collected during the workshops (see below).
As PDF activities are nearing completion, and the full project strategy is at an advanced stage of
development, a second-round of stakeholder consultations will be held, during which local
endorsement of proposed full project activities will be sought, and refinements made to such
activities where consensus is found to be lacking. A Participation Plan will also be prepared for the
full project in consultation with stakeholders, and will guide the choice of conservation strategy and
design of interventions.
Deliverables: 1] Social Feasibility Study, comprising a comprehensive stakeholder assessment, and
7
recommendations regarding full project activities. 2] Participation plan, listing activities to enable
participatory processes, defining implementation responsibilities, and providing performance indicators
(a summary of this information would be prepared for the proposal). 3] Finalised ICZM committee
structure and membership. 4] Identification of training requirements.
Component 3. Biological and socio-economic assessments: The Chinese government has carried
out many scientific studies on the condition of coastal and marine resources, but data analysis and
interpretation has been limited. An initial desk review will be carried out on biodiversity status at
each project site, the existing legal framework (local and national), threats, cultural constraints and
socio-economic conditions. The review will seek to build on and identify gaps in the BAP and the
1996 World Wide Fund for Nature China and World Bank-GEF publication, "A Biodiversity
Review of China." Much valuable information will also be secured from the initial stakeholder
consultations, but there are certain to be areas where existing information is inadequate, or conflicting
in nature. In such cases, for each site targeted biological and socio-economic data collection will be
undertaken. Although data collection will be directed by technical experts, it will be participatory in
nature since an additional important output will be the design of a monitoring system for adaptive
management, and this requires that on-going data collection and handling is undertaken by local
personnel
Deliverables: 1] Justification of biodiversity importance of each of the sites, based on indicators of
global significance (a summary of this information will be prepared as an attachment to the project
brief); 2] Threats Analysis for each of the sites, indicating root causes; 3] Design of monitoring system
for adaptive management; 4] Establishment of database to facilitate data exchange and analysis.
Component 4. GEF Project Formulation A full proposal for GEF funding would be prepared, based
on the results of components 1-3. The project brief would be circulated to STAP for review, and
presented to the GEF Secretariat and Executive Council for approval as part of the GEF Work
Programme. Recommendations made by STAP, GEF Sec/ Executive Council and other Implementing
Agencies would be addressed. Finally, the Brief would be converted into a UNDP project document,
with detailed Terms of Reference for Technical Inputs, an Inputs Budget, Work Plan, details of risks
and mitigation measures and other information, as per standard UNDP requirements. The process of
preparing the Project Brief would require:
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Consensus building regarding site selection criteria, priorities, strategy, outputs and activities of the
full project, based upon consultation with stakeholders, and a project formulation workshop to
construct a logical framework of objectives, activities, outputs, and indicators.
More detailed investigation and quantification of threats at the site level.
Definition of institutional frameworks, stakeholders roles and responsibilities, and implementation
modalities for the full project.
An incremental cost analysis of the project to differentiate between baseline and incremental
activities. PDF funds would be used to collect information on the baseline scenario, identify and
cost incremental activities necessary to conserve biodiversity, and foster joint programming of
baseline and incremental activities.
Confirmation of co-financing for project components not eligible for GEF funding.
Deliverables. Co-financing would have been secured to secure the sustainable development baseline. A
consensus regarding the project strategy would have been obtained. The main body of the Brief would
clearly present the following information:
 A summary of the global significance and unique biological and ecological attributes of each of the
project sites, and the global benefits that would accrue from conservation intervention (from
components 1, 2, and 3)
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Details of the ecological, social and economic attributes of the sites (from components 2 and 3)
A description of the threats facing each site and their root causes (from components 2 and 3)
A clear strategy for mitigating threats and their underlying causes
An account of the realistic baseline (this comprises activities in the arena of coastal and marine
management, that would occur irrespective of GEF inputs, that have a bearing on the resolution of
threats)
Identification of the sustainable development baseline (comprising additional activities required
to address threats that may be justified in the domestic interest)
Identification and justification of the incremental costs of activities needed to generate global
conservation benefits, over and above the sustainable development baseline.
Details of monitoring and evaluation measures (from Component 5)
Details of execution and implementation measures, with an accompanying organigramme
The following annexes would be attached to the Brief:
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Incremental Cost assessment describing global and domestic benefits, and justifying incremental
costs for each output
Logical Framework Assessment, with quantifiable indicators to measure impact, a list of sources of
verification, and an outline of the assumptions and risks that underpin the project
Details of the biodiversity values of each of the chosen sites, to supplement information provided in
the main body of the Brief (from Components 1, 2 and 3)
Assessment of the risks affecting project implementation and outline of mitigation measures
Summary of the Stakeholder Assessment and Social Feasibility Study, defining the roles and
responsibilities of different groups in design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation (from
Component 2)
Maps of the project area (provinces and sites)
List of reference materials
Component 5. Development of Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: Impact and output indicators
would be selected, and baseline data obtained as a basis for measuring project outcomes. An M&E Plan
would be developed, clearly articulating the objectives of monitoring, and specifying the periodicity of
monitoring and evaluation activities, and how they will be orchestrated.
Deliverables: 1] M&E Plan, with clear performance indicators
ELIGIBILITY
China has ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity, and is eligible for GEF financing under
paragraph 9(b) of the GEF Instrument. The project will meet the eligibility criteria listed under the
Coastal, Marine, and Freshwater Ecosystems Operational Programme.
INCREMENTAL COSTS
The GEF would finance activities relating to the business of conservation, that could not be justified in
terms of China’s own sustainable development interests. Co-financing would be secured to complement
gaps in the baseline to finance sustainable development activities. The GEF would finance activities
relating to the integration of biodiversity conservation into ICZM, and demonstrations of ways and
means of overcoming barriers to sustainable use of biodiversity.
NATIONAL LEVEL SUPPORT
In 1995, China launched a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) in assistance from UNDP and the World
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Bank. A major target of the BAP for China is to establish an overall biodiversity conservation
programme in the nation to conserve natural resources, endangered species and creating a climate
for sustainable development. BAP will be used to the fullest extent possible to guide the proposal
writing, with adjustments for any recent changes.
In addition, China's approach to fulfilling its UNCED Agenda 21 obligations with respect to coastal
resource management has been clearly spelled out in the Chinese government's 1996 publication,
"China Ocean Agenda 21." BMCACSS has been developed to also closely match the objectives of
sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, marine environmental protection and ICM as
given in Ocean Agenda 21.
Support for ICM has never been higher in China as people at all levels of government and in NGOs
and academic institutions have recognized the urgent need for the ICM process to begin
immediately to stem the tide of biodiversity loss. The timing of this project is excellent. In 1997,
China's top leaders, such as President Jiang Zemin and Premier Li Peng, made clear public
statements about the need for rational utilization of resources and environmental protection.
China is also taking many initiatives to increase inter-departmental coordination. This is notably
true for coastal zone management. In addition, several southern provinces, including Guangdong,
Guangxi and Hainan, have recently established new departments to plan and manage coastal
resources. These recent developments strongly increase the chances of this project's success.
It should be noted that previous efforts have been constrained due to the lack of capacity to
implement a full participatory approach. China’s commitment to participation in this project is a
key to its success. The Government of China is contributing to the costs of the PDF-B, and a
significant level of co-financing in expected for the full project.
MAINSTREAMING INTO IA COUNTRY PROGRAMME
Based on extensive consultation with government and other donors, UNDP/PRC identified support to
ICZM as one of its major thrusts in the environmental area. This has resulted in the UNDP project
providing technical support to the development and application of ICZM concepts in China that has
been referred to elsewhere in this proposal. Through this project and other activities, UNDP is thus
contributing associated financing to the full project in assisting the government to attain the sustainable
development baseline. UNDP is also assisting the GoC in conserving coastal and marine biodiversity
through related GEF-funded projects such as the East Asia Seas project and the Yellow Sea Large
Marine Ecosystem project (under PDF-B implementation).
JUSTIFICATION FOR PDF GRANT
The prospects for success of the full project rest to a large extent upon a PDF investment in project
design. Significant resources are needed to establish the co-operation and co-ordination mechanisms
needed to ensure successful conservation outcomes and to secure the commitment of local government
authorities and local communities to the project’s goals.
IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS
PDF activities would be implemented over a period of 12 months commencing in January 2000.
Subject to approval of the Project brief, Terms of Reference for subcontractors, consultants and
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technical work would be finalised and a detailed Work Plan prepared. The project is expected to be
executed by UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS). SOA will be responsible for national
implementation and for inter-ministerial and local coordination. UNDP-China will assume
responsibility for project monitoring and maintaining lines of communication with UNDP-GEF, SOA,
and others as needed.
Given that HKUST has given previous support to project formulation over several years, and is
continuing to provide certain co-financing for specified items to the project, HKUST will serve as a
subcontractor for related scientific and technical matters on this project, the details of which will be
specified during formulation of the project work plan and TOR.
SOA and UNDP will be responsible for selecting project sites. After the sites are determined, an
Advisory Group will be established to provide guidance on full project design, in line with
national/local policies, plans and conservation strategies and with GEF eligibility criteria. The Advisory
Group will be chaired by SOA, with representatives from UNDP, local sites and technical support
agencies, such as HKUST, etc.
ITEMS TO BE FINANCED
The total project cost is US$ 435,250, broken down as follows:
GEF1
Activity and budget ( US$)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Site selection
Stakeholder consultations
Social feasibility study
Participation plan
Identification of training requirements
Biological and socio-economic assessments
Threats analysis
Design of monitoring system and database
Formulation of full project brief
Total
25,000
85,000
17,000
16,000
17,000
76,000
17,000
5,000
62,000
320,000
GoC financing:
Manpower (staff salary):
Travel costs:
Facility costs:
Equipment costs:
Other supplies costs:
Total:
$ 25,000
$ 45,000
$ 15,000
$ 10,000
$ 7,000
$102,000
HKUST co-financing for Block B phase
Manpower (senior staff salary)
1
$ 2,600
All figures include 8% OPS support costs. Total OPS Support costs are $24,000
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Travel Costs (for senior staff)
Design of Monitoring System and Data Base
Biological and Socio-Economic Assessment
Identification of Training Requirements
Total
$ 2,000
$ 4,000
$ 2,600
$ 2,050
$13,250
SPECIAL FEATURES
This project will adopt a full participatory approach both for the design of the project during PDF/B
phase and also during the implementation of the full project. This will ensure that the biodiversity
conservation strategies formulated reflect the local needs and the implementation of the strategies
could be sustained. Given this full participatory approach is at an early stage of practice in China, it
could be a useful demonstration to other areas for future adoption in the biodviversity conservation
initiatives during the development process. Experience and lessons learned at the sites could also be
analyzed to help further implementation of this approach meet specific conditions in China.
Workplan
Activity
Steering Committee meetings
Site selection
Desk Data Review
Initial stakeholder consultations
Biological and socio-economic surveys
Database and GIS design
Second round of stakeholder consultations
ICA
Donor support for co-financing
Project brief finalized and endorsed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
References
ADB 1995. Biodiversity Conservation in the Asia Pacific Region. Proceed. Regional
Conference 66-8 June 1994. Asian Development Bank, Manila and The World
Conservation Union, Gland. 508 pp.
CHUA, T.E. and SCURA, L.F. 1992. Integrative Framework and Methods for Coastal
Area Management. International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management,
Manila, Philippines. 169 pp.
HODGSON, G. 1991. An alternative to paper parks. pp. 158-165 In: S.K. Yap and S.W.
Lee (eds) In Harmony with Nature. Proc. International Conference on Conservation of
Tropical Biodiversity 12-16 June 1990. Malayan Nature Society. 656 pp.
HODGSON, G. 1996. Prospects for Marine Conservation in Hong Kong and Southern
China. Paper presented at the First International Symposium on Marine Conservation, Hong
12
Kong, 26-27 October 1996.
HODGSON, G. and E.P.M. YAU. in press. Physical and biological controls of coral
communities in Hong Kong. H.A. Lessios (ed) Proc. 8th Intl. Coral Reef Symposium, June
24-29, 1996, Panama City, Panama.
KENCHINGTON, R. A. 1990. Managing Marine Environments. Taylor and Francis, New
York. 246 pp.
NORSE, E.A. 1993. Global Marine Biodiversity. A strategy for building conservation into
decision making. Island Press, Washington, D.C. USA 383 pp.
UNEP 1995. Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment
from Land-Based Activities. UNEP (OCA)/LBA/IG.2/7
13
Annex 1. List of abbreviations used in the text
ADB
BAP
BMCACSS
CCAR
GIS
GoC
HKUST
ICLARM
ICZM
IESD
IMO
NEPA
NSFC
PRC
PREPP
RMB
SAR
SOA
Asian Development Bank
Biodiversity Action Plan
Biodiversity Management in the Coastal Area of the China South Sea
Center for Coastal and Atmospheric Research
Geographic Information System
Government of China
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management
Integrated Coastal Zone Management
Institute for Environment and Sustainable Development
International Maritime Organization
National Environment Protection Agency
Natural Science Foundation of China
People’s Republic of China
Pearl River Estuary Pollution Project
Renmimbi (National currency)
Special Administrative Region
State Oceanic Administration
14
Annex 2. Candidate Sites
Site
Name
Area
1
Marine Nature Reserve at
Nanzhi Islands, Zhejiang
Province
20 km2
2
Jiulong Jiang Estuary,
Zhangzhou, Fujian
Province
150 km2
Brief description of biodiversity
Threats
Characteristics of this site
 National marine reserve with highest biodiversity
 Most pristine marine habitat in China
 403 species of molluscs and 174 species of seaweed, each
making up >20% of total species in China, respectively
 Isolated islands, about 56 km away from shoreline of
mainland


Characteristics of this site
 On the south bank of Jiulong Jiang Estuary (largest estuary in
this province), opposite to a demo site of ICZM project in
Xaimen
 The northern bounder of mangrove distribution in China
 Major habitat for Chinese dolphin, white egrets,
Branchiostoma belcheri, and marine chordats that are
under protection





Development
of
mariculture system nearby

Poor management scheme

Potential threats
industralization
Zhangzhou city

Rapid development
mariculture

Over
harvesting
of
economically
important
species

Sewage discharge of local
communities
Major protected (#), endemic and endangered species (*)
 Sousa chinensis*
 Egretta alba modestus#
 Etgretta g, garzetta#
 Egretta i. intermedia#
 Branchiostoma belcheri#
 Balanoglossus carnosus#
3
Dong-shan-Nanao, Fujiang
province
60 km2
Characteristics of this site
 Northern boundary of coral distribution in China
 Very rich in species diversity
 One of major breeding ground of several endemic species of fishes
 Nesting ground of marine birds and wading ground of migratory
birds
Major protected (#), endemic and endangered species (*)
 Sousa chinensis*
15
Limited management
Incompetent management
staff
Limited public awareness
of biodiversity protection
Fishing activities
Potential development of
mariculture system
Pollutant discharge from
river
from
of
of






4
Daya Bay, Guangdong
province
35 km2
Tachypleus tridentatus#
Platalea leucorodia Linnaeus#
Egretta i. intermedia#
Egretta alba#
Amusium japonicum formosum
Pinctada chemnitzi
Characteristics of this site
 Semi-closed bay area
 One of the field stations for Chinese eco-net, with history
records on ecosystem changes
 Breeding and nursing ground of many marine fishes, sea
urchins, pearl oysters
 Very rich in biodiversity and biomass of economically
important species
 Wintering ground for some migratory birds
 Over 800 marine species reported from this bay

Rapid development
prawn culture industry
of

Sedimentation
due
evacuation of soil
construction purpose
to
for

Untreated
sewage
discharge of local residents

Uncontrolled collection and
catching of economically
important species

Rapid
increase
population
along
coastal zone

Rapid urbanization

Sedimentation due to land
reclaimation

Defrestration due to high
demand of land for urban
development

Discharge of demonstic and
Major protected (#), endemic, and endangered species (*)
 Tachypleus tridentatus*
 Pinctada martensi
 Pinna sp.
 To be completed in future
5
Inner Deep Bay including
Futian Natural Reserve in
Shenzheng, Guangdong
Province and Mai Po
RAMAS site in Hong
Kong SAR
405 km 2
Characteristics of this site
 Innner deep bay having Futian Natural reserve on its north
shore and Mai Po RAMAS site on its south shore
 While Mai Po in Hong Kong is under careful management,
both sites are under threats of rapid urbanization and
industrilization of Shenzheng city
 Both sites are the wintering and wading ground for many
migratory birds including several endangered bird species
such as Black-faced spoonbill Platalea minor. Over 25%
of existing population of this species relies on inner Bay
as wintering ground
 >100 species of birds found in Deep Bay and highest bird
16
in
the



count in the deep bay is >20,000
Highest public awareness
Highest funding support from local & regional government on
environmental protection and resource management
Highest economical and population growth
industrial sewage
Major protected (#), endemic, and endangered species (*)
 Sousa chinensis Osbeck*
 Platalea minor*
 Egretta alba modestus#
 Egretta g garzetta#
 Butorides striatus connectens#
 Numernius arguata
 Limosa lapponica
 Tringa nebularia
 Calidris ruficollis
 Pluvialis squatarola
 Arenaria interpres
 Recurvirostra avosetta
 Grandidierella sp. nov.
 Kamaka sp. nov.
 Melita sp. nov.
 Victoriopisa sp. nov.
 Talorchestia sp. nov.
 Discapseudes sp. nov.
 Dometorina rostrata Luxton 1993
 Limnodrilodies biforis Erseus 1990
 Limnodriloides fraternus Erseus 1990
 Rhizodrilus russus Erseus 1990
 Pseudopythina maipoensis Morton & Scott 1989
 Procephalothrix orientalis Gibson 1990
6
Sanko Mangrove reserve,
Hopou, Gaungxi
80 km2
Characteristics of this site
 Very rich mangrove habitat housing 82 species of fish, 106
species of birds, 61 species of shrimps and crabs, >90
species of molluscs, 258 species of insects, > 120 species
17



Pouching
Illegal cutting of
mangrove trees
Poor management


of plankton, 13 species of mangrove trees
Major site for Peral oyster farming in China
Only habitat for sea cow and sea turtles in China


framework
Reclamation for onshore
farming system
Mariculture farming
Major protected (#), endemic and endangered species(*)
 Dugong dugon Muller*
 Chelonia mydas
 Eretmochelys im#bricata#
 Dermochelys coriacea#
 Pteria martensii#
 Tachypleus gigas
 Tachypleus sp.
 Carcinoscopius rotundicauda*#
7
Dongzhai, Haikou, Hainan
Province
34 km2
Characteristics of this site
 93 species of mangrove shrimps and fishes
 4 species of snakes
 4 species of mammals
 many species of birds
 many species of invertebrates
 largest mangrove reserve in the country
Endemic and endangered species
 all the species in this reserve under protection
8
DaZhou Island, Wanning,
Hainan Province
70 km 2
Characteristics of this site
 Only existing nesting ground of Collocalia fuciphaga in
China, only one nest was found in 1990 due to over
exploitation of nests (famous healthy food and Chinese
medicine in China)
 Eight endemic and endangered species of tropic and
subtropics plants on islands
 Local fishing ground
18

Illegal Defrestration
mangrove trees

Pollution due to untreated
sewage discharge by local
communities near the
reserve

Insufficient management

Poor
strategies

Over exploitation of bird
nests and endemic trees
Overfishing
Potential development of
fish farming industry
Discharge of untreated
sewage from local
residents



of
management


Pouching
Dynamite fishing
Characteristics of this sites
 First and the only national coral reef reserve of China
 Northern boundary of large coral reef distribution in the world
 Sole tropic site being designated as national marine reserve
 Very rich fauna: including >100 coral and > fish species as
well as > 500 invertebrates
 Sufficient desire of local government and local communities
for better conservation
 Remaining coverage of coral reef at the sites dropped from
100% to 30-40% from 1970’s -1990’s

Major protected, endemic and endangered species
 Ptychodera flava
 Glossobalanus morteenseni
 Pinctada maxima
 Pictada margaritifera
 Pinctata nigra
 Pteria chinensis
 Pteria brevialata
 Pteria penguin
 Haliotis ovina
 Haliotis asinina
 All coral reef species

Refuse and sewage from
rapidly-developed tour
industry along shore line
Dynamite fishing
Pollutants from Sanya
city
Pouching
illegal fishing practice
Exploration and
evacuation of coral reef
for construction materials
Insufficient management
Major endemic and endangered species(*)
 Collocalia fuciphaga*
 Ximenia americana L.*
 Croton laui Merr. Et Meto*
 Scolopia hainanensis Sleum*
 Scolopia henryi Sleum*
 Four other plant species *
9
Sanya National Coral reef
Reserve
30 km 2
19





20
21